36 MY FOREIGN DOVES AND PIGEONS. 
In the same desk is my birds’ ‘‘ Visitors’ Book,”’ 
where all who come to see my birds record the 
date, their name and address, and the bird they like 
best. It is interesting to keep as a remembrance, 
and to see which birds are the most popular. I 
think the Bleeding Hearts are an easy first now 
that my Masked parrakeet ‘‘ Dick,’’ the dearest 
and most loving bird I ever had, is dead. 
1 owe many kind friends my very grateful 
thanks for the generous help they have given me 
in writing this book. My birds have brought me 
many friends, net only in England, but in far off 
lands. Some of these friends 1 have corresponded 
CHAPTER IV. 
SUB-FAMILY TRERONINAE. 
(Vinago Delalandet). 
FRUIT PIGEON. 
(Vinago Delandei). 
Habitat.—Eastern and southern .\frica, from 
Mombasa to Kaffraria and inland as far as the 
Nvassa. 
Length.—About 12 inches. 
built, but rather clumsy. 
Colouring.—Bright grass green, with a dark 
purple patch on each shoulder: 
In shape, strongly 
green head, washed with grey 
and purple, thighs and under- 
parts bright canary yellow. The 
basal half of the beak scarlet, 
the remaining half light slate 
colour. The eyes light blue, the 
feet and legs scarlet. 
WILD LIFE. 
Mr. T. Ayres writes of this 
bird: “I found these handsome 
pigeons somewhat scarce in the 
Magaliesbergen in winter; but 
my brother tells me they are 
exceedingly plentiful there during 
our summer months when wild 
fruits abound; they are found 
in densely foliaged trees, keeping 
very quiet if anyone approaches; 
and often one may walk quietly 
right under the trees where they 
are, when they dart out suddenly, 
generally one at a time. They 
are sometimes solitary, but often 
No, 4 Aviary. 
with for years but have never met, perhaps that 
may be a pleasure in store in the future, one can- 
not tell. 
Bird keeping—for love of the birds—is a hobby 
to be in every way encouraged—it not only gives 
us pleasure, but does us good also—for surely the 
old words are still true, that 
He prayeth best who loveth best 
All things both great and small. 
For the dear God who loveth us— 
He made and Joveth all. 
I feel I cannot close this portion of my little 
book with fitter lines. 
= in small flocks: Their food 
consists entirely of small 
berries.” 
During Mr. Jameson’s expedition to the 
Mashona country this species was procured on the 
Umvuli River in August and September; it feeds 
on the wild fruits which the Boers call the Moople, 
the tree of which is handsome and dark-foliaged, 
and grows here and there along the banks of the 
river. The pigeons are also very fond of an insipid 
wild fig, about the size of a walnut. 
Another writer, Mr. Swynnerton, also speaks of 
this pigeon as being generally found feeding on 
the wild fruits and figs; it seldom descends below 
the upper branches of the trees. He mentions the 
fact that there are two broods reared in the year, 
young birds being brought to him in October, and 
eggs being found in January. The nests are very 
frail, made of sticks, and built about 10 ft. from 
the ground, usually in the large wild fig trees 
scattered about the open country. 
